Education and schooling are different. While you may not be in school, you should continuously get an education. There are unparallel benefits of formal schooling but I believe it’s in the absence of “school” we’re enjoyably educated the most. There is freedom in learning about topics and ways of the world sans deadlines and grades.

I try and keep my reading lists varied of authors and topics, reading writers young and old, inspiring me both artistically and creatively as well as deep theological writings that help me in my study and understanding of God and accounts of other’s experience in business and life that can influence the way I see and do things.

I must admit, I rarely read fiction (I know, say it ain’t so!) I really enjoy memoirs, biographies and religious non-fiction writings. But the important thing is lining everything up with scripture, regardless the writer or topic. Be influenced by the good, leave the bad.

Here are the books on my bedside and in my man-purse (ya, I rock it loud and proud!) that I’ve had the pleasure of traveling through this year:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene H. Peterson

Mirror Ball: Living Boldly and Shining Brightly for the Glory of God by Matt Redman

Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie (TOMS Founder)

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon

Culturematic by Grant McCracken

Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basic Every Christian Should Know by Wayne A. Grudem

Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

Here are the books on my bookshelf I plan on getting after the rest of this year:

Worship by the Book by D.A. Carson

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews

One Life: Jesus Calls, We Follow by Scot McKnight

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler

What should I add? What are you reading I should read? Or what have you read I should check out?